FASHIONS Form-fitting maternity wear to get a workout in the gym

Designers create new athletic wear for pregnant women.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Sarah Jessica Parker teetered around New York this summer in spiky heels, stylishly with child. Cynthia Nixon appeared very pregnant at the Emmy's in September in a strapless gown by Chaikin. And Kate Moss flounced around this summer as well, in flowing bohemian garb that bared her bump (she gave birth to Lola in early October). It's maternity chic: With so many celebs flaunting their big bellies, pregnancy is starting to feel like it is the latest fashion accessory.
Now several major athletic brands are branching out into form-fitting maternity-wear/workout wear for mothers-to-be.
Liz Lange and Nike joined forces and began marketing athletic wear for pregnant women last spring, and babystyle has just teamed up with Reebok to release on a new maternity wear collection.
Reebok, brought to you by babystyle, which first appeared on the babystyle Web site (www.babystyle.com) this fall, includes basic products for working out workout basics: bootleg pants, bike shorts, V-neck T-shirts, a racer-back sports bra and a tank top with a built-in sports bra. The antimicrobial breathable, high stretch cotton-Lycra fabric is made by Reebok; the designs are by babystyle.
Special fabrics
The Nike-Liz Lange collection includes workout pants and tops, a zip-front jacket and a yoga catsuit, all in Nike's DriFITspecial fabric, which wisks moisture away from the skin.
"Just because you are pregnant does not mean you lose your sense of style or lifestyle," said babystyle Chief Executive Laurie McCartney says, whose online company will open its first store in Manhattan Beach, Calif., on Thanksgiving weekend. "A big part of that is being active, feeling good, looking good and having a wardrobe of alternatives you can feel like yourself in."
Having an impact
These days, most doctors advocate low-impact exercise such as yoga, swimming and walking throughout pregnancy. But what to wear to the gym as the body balloons?
"Women no longer have to wear their husband's gym shorts and T-shirts," McCartney said. "They can wear body-hugging workout wear."
Liz Lange just announced that she will be teaming up with Target to release Liz Lange for Target, a collection of simple, interchangeable -- and affordable -- maternity clothes. The collection, to be manufactured by and sold only at Target, will be available later this year.